Premier League preview and odds: Newcastle United vs Sunderland

Published on: 19/03/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Newcastle United vs Sunderland

March 20, 2016 13:30pm - St James` Park

Premier League

One of the stand out fixtures of this weekends Premier League schedule is this relegation clash between local rivals Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James` Park.

Newcastle banking on Benitez boost

Having lost four Premier League matches on the bounce, Newcastle United are getting desperate in their quest for Premier League survival. New boss Rafa Benitez could quickly become a hero on Tyneside if he could lead his side to victory in the northeast derby and then guide them to survival in the league.

In his first game in charge, the Spaniard`s team were perhaps unlucky not to have taken something away from a trip to league-leaders Leicester City. Instead, they slumped to their fourth straight defeat and slipped into the bottom three in the table. The good news for the Magpies is that they still have a game in hand over their immediate rivals Norwich City.

Sunderland out of drop zone on goal difference

Sunderland have spent much of the season occupying the relegation places but now find themselves out of the drop zone thanks to superior goal difference over Norwich. However, defeat to their arch rivals on Sunday could plunge them back into the red.

The Black Cats have lost just one of their last five Premier League matches and have drawn their last two in a row. Another stalemate this weekend would not be a bad result for Sam Allardyces men - however, a win would keep them out of danger and would leave their northeast neighbours in deep trouble.

They come into this match on the back of an impressive 1-1 draw away to seventh-ranked Southampton.

Team news

The home side will have to make do without the injured group of Massadio Haidara, Tim Krul, Gabriel Obertan, Curtis Good and Paul Dummett, while Papiss Cisse, Fabricio Coloccini, Cheik Tiote, Chancel Mbemba and Kevin Mbabu are all doubtful.

Meanwhile, the visitors will continue without Emmanuel Eboue and Duncan Watmore

Recent form (League)

Newcastle United: LLLLW

Sunderland: DDLWD

Betting odds and tips

Newcastle showed instant signs of improvement under Benitez in the defeat to Leicester City. They have only lost three of their last 11 home games and will be lifted by the first home appearance of their new gaffer.

You can back the home win at 23/20 with Bet365.

Published on: 19/03/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (19/03/2016 15:30:36) but are subject to change.